Horse Dentition

Question 1

Hooks location

Answer 1

• First upper cheek teeth (PM2)

- Last lower cheek teeth (M3)

Question 2

Sharp enamel point location

Answer 2

• Outside uppers

- Inside lowers

Question 3

Number of teeth in adult horses

Answer 3

36-44 in adults

Question 4

What are the cheek teeth?

Answer 4

Premolar and molars

Question 5

Type of teeth that horses have

Answer 5

Hypsodont teeth (“high teeth”)

Question 6

How many incisors and cheek teeth does each horse have?

What additional teeth do males have?

Answer 6

Note: On each side / mirror image

• At least 3 incisors (thus 6 top and bottom)
• At least 6 cheek teeth in each arcade (maxillary and mandibular)
• Males have at least 4 canines (absent or rudimentary in females)

Question 7

• What are the “wolf teeth”

- How many horses have them?

Answer 7

• First upper premolars (P1)
• 20-50% of horses have upper P1’s
• Lower P1’s are rare

Question 8

Triadan numbering system

Answer 8

• Quadrants 1-4; upper rt = 1, upper left = 2, lower left = 3, & lower rt = 4
• Teeth numbered 1 to 11 in each quadrant
• Deciduous teeth, quadrants are 5-8

Question 9

Deciduous teeth number

Answer 9

4 x 6 = 24 teeth total (excluding any wolf teeth)

Question 10

Deciduous teeth color / shape

Answer 10

Deciduous teeth are white w/ narrow neck

Question 11

What type of teeth are deciduous teeth?

Answer 11

Incisors and premolars

Question 12

Deciduous teeth present at 6-7 months of age (horses should have)

Answer 12

3 deciduous incisors & 3 premolars in each arcade

Question 13

Permanent incisor eruption ages (I1, I2 and I3)

Answer 13

I1 = 2.5 years - in by 3
I2 = 3.5 years - in by 4
I3 =  4.5 years - in by 5

• All permanent incisors in by 5 years of age
  (also canines in males: 4-5 years)

Question 14

Permanent canine eruption - C1 (in males)

Answer 14

C1 = 4-5 years

Question 15

Permanent premolar eruption ages (P2 / P3 / P4)

Answer 15

P2 = 2.5 years
P3 = 3 years
P4 = 4 years

Question 16

Wolf teeth eruption age (P1)

Answer 16

5-6 months when present

Question 17

Permanent molar eruption ages (M1 / M2 / M3)

Answer 17

M1 = 1 year
M2 = 2 years
M3 = 3 1/2 - 4 years

Question 18

‘Anatomic’ method of teeth numbering - ranges

Answer 18

Incisors = I1-3
Canines = C1
Premolars P1-4 (note: P1 = upper wolf teeth)
Molars = M1-3

Question 19

Incisor eruption times (I1-3)

Answer 19

I1 – 7 days
I2 – 7 weeks
I3 – 7 months

Question 20

What is Galvayne’s groove?

Answer 20

A “crease” in corner incisor (corner upper incisor - I3)

Question 21

When does Galvayne’s groove first appear?

Answer 21

First appears on lateral aspect of I3 at around 10 years of age

Question 22

Galvayne’s groove at 15 years old?

Answer 22

Is half-way down I3 at around 15 years of age

Question 23

Galvayne’s groove at 20 years old?

Answer 23

Meets the occlusal surface at around 20 years of age

Question 24

Galvayne’s groove at 10 years old?

Answer 24

First appears on lateral aspect of I3 at around 10 years of age

Question 25

Age and tooth that the ‘dental star’ appears

Answer 25

I2 at 9 years old

Question 26

Age that the caudal hook appears on corner incisor

Answer 26

7 years old

Question 27

Age that cups get smaller and disappear on lower incisors

Answer 27

6, 7 and 9 years old